Fastener alignment means with adjustment bushing

ABSTRACT

Following are disclosed methods and apparatus for facilitating the alignment of the eccentric bores of &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;work side&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; and &#39;&#39;&#39;&#39;blind side&#39;&#39;&#39;&#39; bushings used in the misaligned, fastener receiving holes of structural members. A shaft is sized to extend into the eccentric bores, and a latch element is laterally carried by the shaft and adapted to extend into, and retract from at least one indentation in the bore of a selected bushing for rotational orientation thereof. An adjustment bushing is carried by the shaft and has a uniform cylindrical wall thickness equal to the minimum wall thickness of the work side bushing. An alignment collar is also carried by the shaft and has an aperture that receives the shaft, the collar having a larger diameter than the diameter of an engaged bushing to enable application of torque and visual reference for detecting axial angularity misalignment between said bushing and its receiving hole in the structural member. When used with the alignment collar, the adjustment bushing gauges and establishes the position of the blind side bushing to enable insertion of the work side bushing and a fastener in a more efficient manner without need for additional rotation of either the blind side or the work side bushing. Hence, the work side and blind side bushings may be accurately aligned through the utilization of both the alignment collar and the adjustment bushing.

United States Patent [191 Siler [451 Apr. 10, 1973 [54] FASTENERALIGNMENT MEANS WITH ADJUSTMENT BUSHING [76] Inventor: Joseph T. Siler,1678 Columbia Drive, Mountain View, Calif.

[22] Filed: Dec. 14, 1970 [21] Appl. No.: 97,540

Related US. Application Data [63] Continuation-impart of Ser. No.785,323, Dec. 19,

1968, Pat. No. 3,590,461.

[52] US. Cl ..29/271, 29/464, 287/l89.36 D [51] Int. Cl. ..B25b 27/14[58] Field of Search ..29/464, 240, 271; 287/189.36D

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,404,456 7/1946 Pierce..29/464 3,006,443 10/1961 Siler .29/464 UX 3,257,720 6/1966 Siler..29/464 3,336,653 8/1967 Symons ..29/271 3,499,258 3/1970 Durand..29/464 X 12/1971 Scime ..29/271 Primary Examiner-Charlie T. MoonAttorney-Julian Caplan and Gregg, Hendricson 81. Caplan [5 7 ABSTRACTFollowing are disclosed methods and apparatus for facilitating thealignment of the eccentric bores of work side and blind side bushingsused in the misaligned, fastener receiving holes of structural members.A shaft is sized to extend into the eccentric bores, and a latch elementis laterally carried by the shaft and adapted to extend into, andretract from at least one indentation in the bore of a selected bushingfor rotational orientation thereof. An adjustment bushing is carried bythe shaft and has a uniform cylindrical wall thickness equal to theminimum wall thickness of the work side bushing. An alignment collar isalso carried by the shaft and has an aperture that receives the shaft,the collar having a larger diameter than the diameter of an engagedbushing to enableapplication of torque and visual reference fordetecting axial angularity misalignment between said bushing and itsreceiving hole in the structural member. When used with the alignmentcollar, the adjustment bushing gauges and establishes the position ofthe blind side bushing to enable insertion of the work side bushing anda fastener in a more efficient manner without need for additionalrotation of either the blind side or the work side bushing. Hence, thework side and blind side bushings may be accurately aligned through theutilization of both the alignment collar and the adjustment bushing.

2 Claims, 7 Drawing Figures 1 f 2 4,22 A i i i r a [y'- i L 7 asFASTENER ALIGNMENT MEANS WITH ADJUSTMENT BUSHING CROSS-REFERENCE TORELATED APPLICATION:

This application is a continuation-in-part of a copending applicationtitled Alignment Means for Bushings Having Eccentric Bores, Ser. No.785,323, filed Dec. 19, 1968, now U.S. Pat. No. 3,590,461.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention: This inventionrelates to fastener devices, particularly to those used for connectingstructural members having misaligned, fastener receiving holes.

2. Description of the Prior Art:

In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,006,443; 3,257,720; and 3,357,730, I disclose newmethods and apparatus for connecting structural members havingmisaligned, fastener receiving holes. In those patents, I explain theuse of bushings with eccentric, axially extending bores for suchpurposes. In U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,257,720 and 3,357,730, I explain the use,among other things, of an elastomer tool for positioning a blind sidebushing such that its axial bore may be aligned with that of a work sidebushing. The term blind side refers to a structural member, or itsbushing, which may be partially or completely hidden from view. Forexample, a full view of such a member or bushing may be obstructed byanother structural member, which may be in full view and thus referredto as the work side structural member that carries a work side bushing.The utilization of an elastomer tool performs satisfactorily in manyinstances, but nevertheless has significant disadvantages. To overcomesuch disadvantages, in U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,618, I provide fastener andassembly means for connecting work and blind side structural membersthrough utilization of a shaft, generally rigid, that extends into thebore and utilizes one or more latch elements that move laterally intoone or more indentations in a bushing for positive manipulation thereof.

Further, in the co-pending application, Alignment Means for BushingHaving Eccentric Bores, Ser. No. 785,323, filed Dec. 19, 1968, now U.S.Pat. No. 3,590,461, I disclosean improvement that utilizes an alignmentcollar carried by a shaft, having an aperture that receives the shaft,with a collar having a larger diameter than the diameter of the engagedbushing to enable application of torque and to give a visual referencefor axial angularity misalignment between said bushing and its receivinghole in the structural member. Thus, more exacting alignment of thebushings is possible, particularly when an initial,

limited interference fit between the bushing and its receiving hole(before final assembly) is utilized in the installation procedure.

By way of summary, the inventions described in the above patents andco-pending application are directed to the problem of connectingstructural members having misaligned, fastener receiving holes in aprecise manner, with superior static strength, and in a manner tominimize fatigue failures in the structural members and fasteners.Moreover, the invention in U.S. Pat. No. 3,509,618 and co-pendingapplication may be utilized to help insure that neither the work sidenor blind side bushing is inadvertently cocked when a fastener such as abolt is inserted through the eccentric holes and tightened. Otherwise,damage to the bushing or the structural member or the fastener mayresult.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The problem of establishing a perpendicularrelationship between the axis of the bushings and the work,simultaneously with alignment of the eccentric bores of the bushings, issolved in the above mentioned copending application, but the time:required to do so is sometimes excessive, and the visual gap betweenalignment collar and work must be gauged for minute preci sion. Thus,there remains the problem of quickly locating the precise correct normalrelationship between the blind side and work side bushings and the work,such that the bushing eccentric bores are also in precise rotationalregistry. For this purpose I provide an adjustment bushing, preferablyin the form of a right circular cylindrical tube, with an aperture thatis best circular in transverse cross-section and concentric with acylindrical exterior, the wall thickness of the bushing beingsubstantially equal to the minimum wall thickness defined by theeccentric bore and exterior wall surface of the work side bushing.Accurate alignment of the work and blind side bushing is achievedthrough utilization of the method of inserting the blind side bushing inthe blind side structural member, by inserting the adjustment bushing onthe shaft, and by positioningthe end of the shaft in the blind sidebushing, with a latch element of the shaft engaging an associatedindentation in the bushing. With the end of the adjustment bushingextending into the bore that receives the work side bushing, and theadjustment collar in contact with the work, the shaft and the blind sidebushing are rotated until the point of resistance to rotation isreached, which gauges and establishes the gap between the shaft and thewall of the misaligned hole of the work side structural member toestablish the precise proper space for installing the work side bushing.The alignment collar in contact with the work precisely establishes thenormality or perpendicularity of the work side bushing relative to thesurface of the work side structural member. Hence, both axial alignmentand normality are simultaneously quickly and precisely established bythe method and apparatus.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. I is a side elevation view,partially in section, of

portions of two structural members, one of which has' and the adjustmentbushing carried by the shaft and inserted in the work side bushingreceiving hole; FIG. 5 is an end view of a work side bushing; FIG. 6 isan end view of the alignment bushing; and

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary side elevation view, partially in section, of ashaft, alignment collar, adjustment bushing, and blind side bushinginserted in the receiving hole of a blind side structural member, boththe blind side and work side structural members being curved and engagedby peripherally located protrusions on the alignment collar.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The numeral 11 in the drawingdesignates a blind side structural member and the numeral 13 designatesan identical work side structural member. Inserted in a slightly taperedhole 15 in the blind side structural member 11 is a blind side bushing17. This bushing has a body portion 19 (the exterior of which isslightly tapered in this instance) and an enlarged head portion 21. Inaddition, the bushing has end surfaces 20 and 22 that areperpendicularly oriented relative to the axially extending bore 23. Thebore 23 is formed through the enlarged head and body portions of thebushing, being eccentric relative to the central axis of the body andhead, as is further explained in my above mentioned patents.

At least one, by preferably plural indentations 25 are formeddiametrically across the axial bore, and in this instance extendcompletely through respective sides of the cylindrical or slightlytapered body portion 19. The position of the indentations and theirgeometric form are adapted to mate with a latch element or elements 29,a preferred form of which is illustrated in FIG. 1. In this form thelatch elements comprise two opposed laterally movable balls captivelyheld in a drilled hole formed radially through a shaft 31 which has aslightly smaller diameter than the diameter of the axial bore in thebushing and in operation extends through the bushing receiving hole 33in the work side structural member 13. The holes or apertures 15 and 33are misaligned generally as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3. The latch elements29 are urged into engagement with the indentations 25 in a selectedbushing by actuation of a projection 35 protruding from a handle 37mounted on the shaft 31. Further details of the latch element, shaft andhandle may be seen with reference to US. Pat. No. 3,509,618.

With the blind side bushing 17 inserted in the blind side structuralmember 11 as shown in FIG. 1, a work side bushing 39 (having a slightlytapered body portion 40 in this instance) is inserted on the shaft, withthe planar surface 41 of its enlarged head portion facing rearwardly.

Also mounted on the shaft 31 is alignment collar 43 having an aperture45 that receives the shaft 31. The collar has a large diameter shoulder47 having an exterior surface 49, perpendicularly oriented relative tothe aperture 45. In this instance the planar surface 49 of the alignmentcollar 43 has an indentation 51 adapted to mate with the planar surface41 and shoulder of the work side bushing 39. Connected with the largediameter shoulder 47 is a generally cylindrical body portion 53.

Referring to FIG. 2, it may be seen that the. peripheral portion of theindentation 51 (which is circular in transverse cross-section in thisinstance) is cccentrically aligned relative to the axial bore 45 in thecollar 43, with the radial axes being offset by a distance dcorresponding with the amount of offset between the corresponding radialaxes of the work side bushing 39.

Apparatus described thusfar is disclosed in the copending applicationSer. No. 785,323, filed Dec. 19, I968, now US. Pat. No. 3,590,461. Theimproved apparatus of this invention is shown in FIGS. 4 through 7. InFIG. 4 is shown the shaft 31 ofa tool having an alignment collar 43inserted thereon, the planar surface 49 of which is shown in engagementwith the surface of the work side structural member 13. The blind sidebushing 17 is shown partially inserted in the receiving opening ortapered hole 15 in the blind side structural member 11. The latchelement (or elements) 29 is shown in engagement with the matingindentation in the eccentric bore of the blind side bushing 17. Inaddition, an adjustment bushing 55, which is in the form ofa rightcircular cylindrical tube having a cross-sectional configuration asshown in FIG. 6, receives the shaft 31 in its interior cylindricalsurface 57. The adjustment bushing 55, with exterior cylindrical surface59 is shown extending into the hole 33 in the work side structuralmember 13, one end 65 of the adjustment bushing being in engagement withthe planar, transverse surface 63 of the indentation 51 formed in theforward end of the alignment collar 43. The wall thickness b, as shownin FIG. 6, of the adjustment bushing 55 has the same wall thickness asthe thinnest section a separating the aperture of the axially extendingbore 42 of the work side bushing 39 and its body portion 40. Anidentical apparatus arrangement is shown in FIG. 7, except there are aplurality (usually three) of normally equal height protrusions 67extending generally axially from the planar surface 49 of the alignmentcollar 43 to the curved surface 69 of a work side structural member 71,such protrusions nor- I mally being located radially equidistant fromthe center line axis of alignment collar 43.

In operation and as is shown in FIG. 4, the blind side bushing 17 isshown partially inserted in the hole 15 of the blind side structuralmember 11, with the latch elements 29 in engagement with the matingindentations in the eccentric bore 23 of the bushing. Moreover, thealignment bushing 55 is carried by the shaft 3], with the transverseplanar surface of indentation 51 of the alignment collar 43 engaging oneend 65 of the adjustment bushing and the other end 61 extending into thehole 33 in work side structural member 71. With the alignment collar,adjustment bushing, and blind side bushing thus secured to the shaft 31of the tool, and the protrusions 67 in contact with the work, the blindside bushing 17 may be rotated through utilization of the latch elements29 until the exterior cylindrical surface of the alignment bushing 55engages the wall of the hole 33 in the work side structural member, asshown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 7. This defines the point of resistance to therotation of the shaft and blind side bushing, and enables removal of theshaft and the adjustment bushing for subsequent insertion of the workside bushing 39 into the hole of the work side structural members 13 and71. The eccentric bore of the work side bushing may be aligned visuallywith the eccentric bore of the blind side bushing, but preferably, theshaft 31 of the tool is threaded through the eccentric bore 42 of thework side bushing 39 and thence through the work side hole 33 into thebore 23 of the blind side bushing 17.

The work side bushing is then engaged with the recess 5l in alignmentcollar 43 and easily manipulated into its seat in work side hole 33. Inaddition, the alignment collar 43 may be used to check the desiredperpendicular (normality) relationship between the axes of the blindside and the work side bushings and the structural members, as isexplained in the above described copending application. Thereafter, theshaft may be removed and a fastener such as a bolt inserted in thealigned, eccentric bores.

In the above described arrangement once the exterior wall surface of theadjustment bushing strikes the wall of the work side aperture, axialalignment and normality (cocking alignment) are simultaneously assumedin the blindside bushing. Any further rotation of the tool shaft 31causes surface 49 of the alignment collar 43 to rise from the surface 48of the work side structural member, or similarly in the curved surfacecase, one of the protrusions 67 to lift from work surface 69. Therecommended use of the alignment collar in insertion of the work sidebushing also provides a final check on any cocking misalignments of thetwo bushings that might have inadvertently occurred during insertion ofthe work side bushing.

Protrusions 67 may be of any suitable material such as hard fiber,semi-spheroids of small diameter.

While the invention has been shown in only a few of its forms, it shouldbe apparent to those skilled in the art that it is not so limitedbut issusceptible to various changes and modifications without departing fromthe spirit thereof.

I claim:

1. In a fastener and assembly means including a work side bushing, ablind side bushing, each having eccentric, axially extending bores toreceive a shaft and a latch element that extends into an indentation inone of said bushings, all of which cooperate to connect structuralmembers having misaligned, fastener receiving holes, the improvementcomprising: i m

an alignment collar having an aperture that receives said shaft, saidcollar having a large diameter shoulder adapted to face and engage thework side v bushing;

said work side bushing having a planar, exposed sur face transverse withits axially extending bore;

an adjustment bushing having an aperture to receive said shaft, saidaperture being circular in transverse cross-section and concentric witha cylindrical exterior of said bushing, "the wall thickness of saidbushing being substantially equal to the minimum wall thickness of thework side bushing;

said alignment collar having a planar surface perpendicular with theaxis of its aperture and larger than said planar surface of the workside bushing;

both said planar surfaces selectively engaging for application of axialforce and torque from the collar to the work side bushing whereby thework side bushing may be adjusted with limited interference fit and thecollar visually inspected for space between the periphery of the collarand the associated structural member.

2. In a fastener and assembly means including a work side bushing, ablind side bushing, each having eccentric, axially extending bores toreceive a shaft and a latch element that extends into an indentation inone of said bushings, all of which cooperate to connect structuralmembers having misaligned fastener receiving holes, the improvementcomprising:

an alignment collar having an aperture that receives said shaft, saidcollar having a large diameter shoulder that is adapted to face andengage the work side bushing; said work side bushing having a peripheralportion adapted to engage the shoulder of said alignment collar; anadjustment bushing having an aperture to receive said shaft, the wallthickness of said bushing being substantially equal to the minimum wallthickness of the work side bushing; said alignment collar having a planedefining portion adapted to engage the surface of the work sidestructural member.

1. In a fastener and assembly means including a work side bushing, ablind side bushing, each having eccentric, axially extending bores toreceive a shaft and a latch element that extends into an indentation inone of said bushings, all of which cooperate to connect structuralmembers having misaligned, fastener receiving holes, the improvementcomprising: an alignment collar having an aperture that receives saidshaft, said collar having a large diameter shoulder adapted to face andengage the work side bushing; said work side bushing having a planar,exposed surface transverse with its axially extending bore; anadjustment bushing having an aperture to receive said shaft, saidaperture being circular in transverse cross-section and concentric witha cylindrical exterior of said bushing, the wall thickness of saidbushing being substantially equal to the minimum wall thickness of thework side bushing; said alignment collar having a planar surfaceperpendicular with the axis of its aperture and larger than said planarsurface of the work side bushing; both said planar surfaces selectivelyengaging for application of axial force and torque from the collar tothe work side bushing whereby the work side bushing may be adjusted withlimited interference fit and the collar visually inspected for spacebetween the periphery of the collar and the associated structuralmember.
 2. In a fastener and assembly means including a work sidebushing, a blind side bushing, each having eccentric, axially extendingbores to receive a shaft and a latch element that extends into anindentation in one of said bushings, all of which cooperate to connectstructural members having misaligned fastener receiving holes, theimprovement comprising: an alignment collar having an aperture thatreceives said shaft, said collar having a large diameter shoulder thatis adapted to face and engage the work side bushing; said work sidebushing having a peripheral portion adapted to engage the shoulder ofsaid alignment collar; an adjustment bushing having an aperture toreceive said shaft, the wall thickness of said bushing beingsubstantially equal to the minimum wall thickness of the work sidebushing; said alignment collar having a plane defining portion adaptedto engage the surface of the work side structural member.